Anti-hunger Initiative in Bago City, Philippines Results in 215.7% Rice Sufficiency
The holistic anti-hunger initiative of Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines has led to a 215.7% rice sufficiency level, ensuring greater food security and economic stability for its people.
Through the Food Staples Sufficiency Program, Bago City aims to achieve sufficient food production through natural farming practices. The city has earned the distinction of being a national winner of the 1st Walang Gutom Awards (No Hunger Awards) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In an interview, Bago City agriculturist Marvin John Blance said, “Given our sufficient rice production and we have reached 215.7% rice sufficiency level, based on last year’s data, Bago City can also feed other local government units.”
Bago City is also known as the “Rice Granary of Negros Occidental” as it produces 30% of the rice output of the province. The city has also been recognized with the Department of Agriculture Rice Achievers Award for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020. The Bago City Agriculture Office partners with the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the City Health Office, and the City Nutrition Office to implement the Food Staples Sufficiency Program.
According to data from the City Health Office, around 18,440 children aged between 0 to 5 years have shown improved nutritional status due to the anti-hunger program. Eighty women beneficiaries from three barangays in Bago City have also produced around 4,983.85 kilograms of vegetables from the communal garden via the Planting for Productivity Project, which collaborates with Ayala Foundation Inc.
The city government also ensures safe water access for 97.55% of households, as well as basic sanitation facilities for 89.63% of households, enhancing public health and well-being.
520 farmers now cultivate 783.57 hectares of organic farms, organized into an association. The farmers have also become agriprenuers. Bago City also advocates, practices, and implements climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in farming.
In an earlier statement, Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo said that the award is a validation of the sustained efforts of the city government in implementing programs and projects bannering the welfare and well-being of every Bagonhon.
He added, “While we took up the cudgels for the President’s call to end hunger, it’s a challenge for us to sustain and improve further on our programs. Bago City’s Food Staples Sufficiency Program isn’t just about growing crops, it’s also about nurturing communities, fostering resilience, and building a sustainable future.”
